Auxiliary Markings on U.S. First Day Covers: The Philatelic Exhibit (Outstanding US First Day Cover Exhibits)

This book of Ralph Nafziger's award-winning Fist Day Cover exhibit presents a variety of auxiliary markings on U.S. FDCs sent to domestic and international addresses. Many older FDCs (prior to the 1960s) and a small percentage of more modern U.S. FDCs did travel through the mails (unlike more modern FDCs), as evidenced by auxiliary markings placed on the covers. Many of these markings reflect the mishandling of the mails. This exhibit tells the story of these markings on U.S. FDCs, which represent true postal history.The exhibit is organized chronologically with respect the flow of the FDCs through the mails. The structure addresses the time from when the FDC was posted to when it was received or returned. Examples of all phases are included. Where important, routing and/or rates are indicated. Copies of important markings/cancels on the reverse side of the FDCs are included. Cachet makers are indicated where they are not identified on the FDC.The exhibit is organized as follows (At the beginning of each chapter, the chapter heading is in bold type):1. Sending Post Office Markings: Includes FDCs given special services , special markings, and suspended service. An FDC addressed to a POW is included. This FDC is believed to be unique.2. Delays in Transit: Three FDCs that were involved in plane crashes are exhibited. Another FDC was singed in a mail car fire. 3. General Receiving Post Office Markings: FDCs including those that were unsealed or empty when received. Two Tin Can Mail FDCs are shown. 4. Delays at Receiving Post Office: FDCs in misplaced mail are shown, as are censoredFDCs mailed during wartime. An unusualFDC with a Nazi censor marking and also an FDC censored by the Army addressed to the secret P.O. Box for mail destined to the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, NM are included5. Postage Due: Examples of FDCs assessed for postage due are shown with andwithout postage (unusual), and with various markings with domestic and foreign uses.6. Forwarded by Receiving Post Office: FDCs that have been forwarded by docketing and auxiliary markings.7. Unforwardable Mail: FDCs sent to recipients who have moved, unclaimed and undeliverable FDCs, FDCs sent to the Dead Letter Office, and FDCs returned to the sender.8. Address Incorrect/Incomplete: FDCs that had addresses corrected and/or added to by the post office and were delivered successfully, are shown. 9. Undeliverable at Correct Address: FDCs that had correct addresses, but the recipient was unknown at a specific address including deceased, refused, or fraudulent, are included.10. Held for Return11. Sent to Foreign Addresses12. Returned from Abroad Undeliverable This exhibit can be viewed as a model for taxonomy for a new philatelic subject; one of the great challenges in stamp collecting.. It is the most recent addition to the series ‘Outstanding US First Day Cover Exhibits’ published by Exhibitors Press.This exhibit is the result of a great many years searching numerous sources to acquire the material. The exhibited FDCs are not ‘ordinary’ FDCs and are very difficult to find.Until now, this exhibit has only been available to those able to see it in a national stamp show. Sadly, many collectors have not been able to attend national level US stamp shows. This book provides an opportunity to study, in-depth, the material and the exhibiting and presentation techniques used in presenting a complex subject. Read more